Industry News
New skin cancer detection tool approved in Australia
Canada's Verisante Technology has been cleared by the TGA to sell its instant skin cancer detection tool in Australia. [ + ]
Biosceptre seeks $15m for anti-cancer monoclonal antibody trials
Funds sought to take monoclonal antibody treatment for multiple cancers into phase I trials on the lead up to IND submission with the US Food and Drug Administration. [ + ]
Epigenetic markers point towards ovarian cancer diagnostic
The discovery of new epigenetic markers present in a majority of ovarian cancers could lead to improved early diagnosis of the deadly disease. [ + ]
BioProspect tightens its focus
After suffering two costly delays, BioProspect (ASX:BPO) is refocusing on gaining local regulatory approval for its lead animal health product. [ + ]
Method for determination of crotamiton
Thermo Fisher Scientific has developed an efficient quality control method for the determination of the cis and trans isomers that comprise crotamiton, used in the treatment of scabies and skin pruritus. The method is more efficient than the official protocols of the British Pharmacopoeia (BP) and Pharmacopeia of the People’s Republic of China (PPRC). [ + ]
Australian biotechs attract strong interest at US investor meeting
The latest AusBiotech investor showcase event in the US has attracted its strongest attendance yet, with the presentations from the participating Australian companies and networking well received. [ + ]
Sienna signs licensing deal for cancer test
Sienna Cancer Diagnostics has reached a new agreement with licensor Geron for the IP needed to continue development its telomerase protein detector tests. [ + ]
Malaria decloaked
Researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute have identified a molecule that helps the malaria virus hide from the immune system. [ + ]
Research on deadly H5N1 influenza strain halted
Scientists working on a highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus have voluntarily called a 60-day moratorium on their research to give governments and organisations time to prepare for their results. [ + ]
Lab test technology a step closer to securing patents
Millispot, a porous polymer-based material for storing dry blood used in laboratory analyses, is a step closer to securing comprehensive patents, following the release of a Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) report indicating that all claims of the patent application appear to be novel and inventive. [ + ]
Microbes and fungi provide blueprint for ‘designer soils’
Newly published research reveals that soils are self-organising systems in which soil structure and microbial activity interact in a dynamic way to maximise the storage of water and carbon. [ + ]
Australian marine researcher joins prestigious scientific society
A marine researcher at The University of Western Australia has been appointed a Conservation Fellow of the Zoological Society of London - a society that appointed Charles Darwin a Fellow in 1837 following his five-year expedition on the HMS Beagle. [ + ]
Chardonnay genome project seeks to improve wine
A joint effort by the Australian Wine Research Institute and the University of British Columbia will sequence 15 varieties of the world’s most popular wine grape. [ + ]
Plant drought alarm signal discovery could help establish natural drought resistance in food crops
Researchers from The Australian National University have discovered a cellular communication process used by plants to respond to drought. They discovered evidence of a process called retrograde signalling - where chemical signals move between different cellular compartments in the plant Arabidopsis. The movement of these signals switches on a defence mechanism which could help plants cope with drought conditions. [ + ]
Secret sex life to help save endangered seagrasses
Sex plays a much bigger role in the reproduction of vitally important seagrasses than previously thought, according to findings by researchers from The University of Western Australia. [ + ]